Chico: Residents cause small fire by drying pot with portable heater

Chico Fire Capt. Aaron Lowe clears an apartment after they responded to a small fire that was caused by a heater that ignited some marijuana that was drying at a home in the 2700 block of Cohasset Road on Saturday in Chico.(Jason Halley/Staff Photo)

CHICO — Smoke detectors alerted residents to a small fire in their rented home Saturday caused by an overturned portable heater.

The Chico Fire Department arrived at the 2700 block of Cohasset Road at about 5 p.m. to reports of a possible structure fire.

Firefighters found the fire had been put out by the residents. It was caused by a portable heater, which was being used to dry marijuana in the bathroom, said Fire Capt. Aaron Lowe.

Some paper and the marijuana near the heater caught fire, Lowe said.

Fire Capt. Shane Cook was first to arrive to the scene and placed a large fan at the front door to air out the home, he said.

The residents of the home reportedly had a medical marijuana "215 card" and were educated about fire safety by two officers from the Chico Police Department. There were no charges filed against the residents, said Matthew Seipert of Chico police. "A lack of common sense is not a crime," he said.